Air Force Renewable Energy Projects in Development

Air Force Renewable Energy Projects in Development Map

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In 2012, the Air Force had approximately 256 renewable energy projects either installed and in operation or under construction.

The following short descriptions provide basic information on renewable energy projects in development identified on the map. These projects will provide renewable energy for base facility use or to the local power grid. They are in final development for advertising and award.

Waste-to-Energy Plant, Dyess AFB, Texas
The Air Force is pursuing a Power Purchase Agreement to build a waste-to-energy plant on seven to nine acres of land at Dyess AFB, Texas. With a power rating of 4.5 to 5.5 megawatts 24 hours a day, the contracted plant would produce up to 50 percent of the base's power requirement using biomass or municipal solid waste. The Air Force anticipates awarding a contract in April 2013. The waste-to-energy plant will reduce regional landfill burdens by up to 60,000 tons annually.

Solar Array, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
The Air Force plans to expand its renewable energy portfolio substantially with a 14.5-megawatt photovoltaic solar array at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. The base has entered into an agreement with SunEdison, LLC to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the array on 170 acres of underutilized base property. Construction is underway with completion expected in early 2013. The power purchase agreement provides electricity to Davis-Monthan at a reduced rate for a period of 25 years, saving the base from $400,000 to $500,000 a year in utility costs. The project will provide 35 percent of the energy needed to power Davis-Monthan. It will be slightly larger than the Nellis AFB, Nev., photovoltaic solar array built in 2007.

Solar Array, Luke AFB, Ariz.
The Air Force and Arizona Public Service are pursuing a Power Purchase Agreement to construct a photovoltaic solar array on 220 acres of underutilized land. APS will construct, own, operate and maintain the solar array at no cost to the government. The Air Force and APS will sign a rate agreement to save Luke AFB utility costs over 30 years. Original in service date of June 2011 slipped when cultural artifacts dating back 5,000 years were discovered. The Air Force is finalizing archeological work on land areas. The solar array completion is now expected in 2015.

Check back for information regarding wind turbines at McConnell AFB, Kansas, a solar array at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and a solar array at Otis ANGB, Mass.